Intimate Notes: Booth Joins Natori

The Natori Co. has appointed James R. Booth to the new post of senior vice president of the Natori Home division.

BOOTH JOINS NATORI: The Natori Co. has appointed James R. Booth to the new post of senior vice president of the Natori Home division.

Booth reports to Josie Cruz Natori, president and chief executive officer. He will be responsible for overseeing and developing the Natori Home business, which includes home accessories, textiles and luxury linens.

A 27-year veteran of the fashion apparel and home accessories industries, Booth’s experience includes retail sales, product development, branding, sourcing and marketing across all home categories. Most recently, Booth served as senior vice president of the home unit of the trade services group of Li & Fung. Previously, he served in executive posts for 13 years at Associated Merchandising Corp.

“We are committed to building our home business through the expansion of our licensing program, and James has the skills and experience to lead our efforts,” Natori said.

She added, “We look forward to extending the Natori Brand into a complete Natori Home concept.”

In April, Natori signed a licensing agreement with JLA Home for a collection of home textiles to be launched for fall 2006.

The collection will be distributed to major better department stores, smaller, upscale specialty operations, luxury linen catalogues and home textiles specialty stores.

This license marks the company’s first return to the home sector since the Eighties, when the Natori firm had a licensing pact with Revman Industries.